Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by multiple neuritis affecting the peripheral nervous system causing flaccid paralysis. It is one of the most frequently occurring acquired demyelinating lesions. GBS is rare with an incidence of 0.75–2 per 100,000 individuals, and the etiology remains unclear [1]. An epidemiological study in 2006–2007 of 100 patients with GBS determined that approximately 69% of affected individuals had previously had an infection causing gastroenteritis up to 6 weeks before the onset of GBS suggestive of an aberrant immune response [2]. GBS is characterized by symptoms of hypoesthesia progressing symmetrically from the distal parts of the body, hypokinesia, and ascending paralysis. The weakening of muscles begins at the distal limbs and may progress to the trunk, facial and respiratory muscles, among which respiratory paralysis could be serious. The condition typically affects the peripheral nerves but in 25% of cases, the cranial nerves are also affected, which is bilateral in approximately 50% of patients. Among these, the facial nerve is most commonly affected [1,3].

The most severe symptoms appear around a week from the date of onset, and after 2–4 weeks, the symptoms gradually improve in the reverse order of appearance. In addition, sensory loss may occur, but it is less severe than motor paralysis. Recovery generally occurs within 2–18 months, but even after this period, complete recovery may not be anticipated. While most patients show a good prognosis, weakened muscles may remain as an after-effect [4].

A few clinical case reports regarding GBS have been published in the field of Korean medicine. One report discussed the effects of Korean medicine treatment in a case with ataxia preceded by an infectious disease [5,6], and another reported the effects of Korean medicine treatment in a case showing lower limb weakening and facial paralysis of moderate severity [7].

The present study reports a case of mild GBS where the chief complaints included dysesthesia and facial paralysis without gait disturbance, weakened limbs or a preceding infectious disease. Combined Korean medicine treatment was performed, and significant improvement was found.

This study was exempt from IRB deliberations (IRB no.: DJDSKH-20-E-15-1).

The natural course of GBS recovery is typically within 2–18 months [1]. However, the patient in this case recovered from GBS 33 days after the onset of symptoms showing rapid progress. A symptom of GBS is dyskinesia, but this patient only had paresthesia which was limited to the fingers and toes without muscle weakness or dyskinesia. This was despite electromyography findings (to determine a conduction block in the peripheral nerves) of the limbs which were slightly lower (except for paralysis of the facial muscles). In addition, it has been reported that GBS may be preceded by an infection in about 69% of patients [2], but this patient did not have a history of an infection. However, considering that the patient gave birth in 2018 and 2019, and GBS occurred 4 months after childbirth in 2019, it is thought that the main cause of GBS was the weakening of immunity.

In this case facial paralysis occurred on the left side, and it was evaluated on the Yanagihara scale. Yanagihara grading is an unweighted regional grading scale that evaluates 10 areas of facial function equally, and evaluates them with 3 or 5 points to give a total maximum score of 40 points. There are various scales that can assess facial palsy such as the House Brackmann grading system or FEMA grading system, but the Yanagihara 5-point scale is relatively simple to implement without special tools [15]. The paresthesia that the patient complained of was a form of numbness and was evaluated by NRS. The maximum intensity of pain on the NRS scale is 10, and no pain is 0, the numbness of fingers and toes and back pain was rated as an NRS score [14]. Considering that the patients immunity may be reduced and her level of energy may have decreased after childbirth, Sipjeondaebo-tanggami herbal medicine was administered during hospitalization. Sipjeondaebo-tanggami alleviates postpartum symptoms, aids sympathetic nerve control, and improves immunity [16]. At discharge from hospital, the patient was given a combination of Hyangbujapalmul-tang (used for disease caused by stress) [17], and Ohyaksungi-san (to have regenerative effects on the immune response and repair nerve damage) to help the patient cope with the high stress of childcare whilst numbness at the extremities of her limbs remained [18].

Acupuncture is a method to increase the electrical activity of the muscles to treat numbness and it was applied to the brachioradialis and intercostal muscles of the upper extremities, and extensors and intercostal muscles of the lower limbs. Acupuncture treatment for paralysis of the facial muscles was in accordance with facial nerve palsy treatment [8] and included acupoints GV20, BL2, EX-HN4, TE23, EX-HN5, TE17, ST4, ST6. Additional acupuncture was performed using LI5, PC6, SP6, and ST36 to improve blood circulation [6].

Pharmacopuncture treatment was performed on the face and limbs. Initially, it was bee venom pharmacopuncture to regulate the immune system and promote blood circulation [9], and after discharge pharmacopuncture was performed with Jungsongouhyul to improve various symptoms caused by asthenia, lower blood flow, and peripheral nerve disorder [8].

The treatment methods for GBS are plasma exchange and IVIg generally. However, these treatments are recommended for patients with severe GBS who have symptoms including paralysis, and inability to walk independently, and treatment of patients with mild GBS is unclear [19]. In addition, no other treatment has been authorized for treatment for GBS in the last 20 years, and the results of whether plasma exchange and IVIg treatment are effective according to the severity of GBS symptoms have not been substantiated [20].

This is a study of a mild case of GBS which occurred after childbirth, without prior history of an infection, and it is considered that there is significance in reporting the possibility that Korean Medicine treatment was effective in a mild GBS case with symptoms of facial paralysis and limb numbness. However, this is 1 patient, and there is a major limitation in that it was not possible to evaluate the extent that Korean medicine treatment contributed to the improvement of patient symptoms because the patient was admitted to the Korean medical hospital after receiving IVIg a few days earlier. Following combined Korean medicine treatment over 57 days the patient showed great improvement as assessed by the Yanagihara score and the NRS score. Development of combined Korean medicine treatment for GBS in the future will involve controlled clinical studies on the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment for GBS.